How to Send Money to an Inmate at Estes Unit: Deposit Options, Timing, and Who Can Send

Not just anyone can deposit money through the TDCJ Inmate Trust Fund system. As of September 1, 2020, the sender must be on the inmate's approved visitor list or the inmate telephone list. If you're not on one of those two lists, your deposit can be rejected or delayed. Confirm your status before you send anything.

Sending a money order or cashier's check? You'll need to include a deposit slip. The slip comes from the inmate, so your loved one will need to request it and get it to you before you mail your payment. If the money order or cashier's check arrives without that slip, expect delays.

Mail trust fund deposits to: Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Commissary & Trust Fund Department, P.O. Box 629, Huntsville, TX 77342.

TDCJ also offers an automatic monthly checking account debit (ACH) option. Your checking account is debited on or around the 5th of each month, and the funds hit the inmate's account on or around the 10th. Enrollment requires a voided check, so plan ahead if you're trying to get money on the account by a specific date.

ACH isn't available to everyone. Like other deposit methods, you must be on the inmate's approved visitation list or the inmate telephone list. If you're setting up ACH for the first time, confirm you're on one of those lists before submitting paperwork. Otherwise you'll lose time.

Need to follow up? Trust Fund staff can tell you whether a deposit was received. They cannot share the inmate's account balance or details about account activity with anyone except the inmate. If you want to know how much is available or what was spent, your loved one is the only person who can access that information.

Practical Checklist

• ✓ Confirm you are on the inmate’s approved visitor list or the inmate telephone list before you send money.
• ✓ If you are mailing a money order or cashier’s check, get the required deposit slip from the inmate and include it.
• ✓ If you want automatic payments, use ACH and include a voided check. Expect debit on or around the 5th and credit on or around the 10th.
• ✓ If you are sending $500 or more in a single deposit (or certain checks/disbursements), plan for a 14-day hold before the inmate can access the funds.
• ✓ Keep your receipt or confirmation details so you can ask whether the deposit was received.
• ✓ Remember that Trust Fund staff can confirm receipt, but they cannot share balances or transaction history with anyone except the inmate.